Elizabeth Sherman Lindsay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elizabeth Sherman Lindsay
Born	Elizabeth Sherman Hoyt (1885-10-16)16 October 1885
Died	3 September 1954(1954-09-03) (aged 68)
Nationality	American
Occupation	Landscape and Garden Designer

Elizabeth Sherman Lindsay (born Elizabeth Sherman Hoyt; 1885–1954) was an American landscape and garden designer. She also worked as an executive for the American Red Cross during World War I. She was married to Sir Ronald Charles Lindsay, a British diplomat.

Biography

Elizabeth Sherman Hoyt married Sir Ronald Charles Lindsay in 1924. He was a very important diplomat. He served as an ambassador in countries like Turkey and Germany. Later, he became the British Ambassador to the United States from 1930 to 1939.

While living in Washington D.C., Elizabeth Lindsay designed the gardens of the new British Embassy. These gardens became famous when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited. It was the first time a British king and queen visited North America.

Early life and family

Elizabeth Sherman Hoyt was born on October 16, 1885. Her father was Colgate Hoyt, a successful American businessman. Her mother, Lida Sherman, was related to famous figures like William Tecumseh Sherman, a Civil War general, and John Sherman, who was a Secretary of State.

The family lived in a large home called “Eastover” on Centre Island, New York, in Long Island. Elizabeth had older siblings named Sherman, Ann, and Colgate. Her brother Sherman became a famous American yachtsman.

After her mother passed away in 1908, Elizabeth took care of the family home.

Her work and career

Elizabeth went to private schools in New York City. She wanted to become a landscape architect, which was not a common job for women at that time. From 1909, she studied plants and gardening at the Arnold Arboretum in Massachusetts. She learned from Charles Sprague Sargent, who was in charge there.

Her role model was Beatrix Jones, who later became Beatrix Farrand. Beatrix Farrand designed the famous gardens at Dumbarton Oaks. Elizabeth worked in Beatrix Jones's office in New York for two years.

In 1914, after visiting many gardens in Europe and the United States, Elizabeth started her own business in New York. She mostly designed small gardens on the North Shore of Long Island and in Cleveland, Ohio.

Helping during World War I

When World War I began, Elizabeth moved to Washington D.C. She became an assistant at the American Red Cross headquarters. In 1917, she went to France to help with hospital supplies and check on women's working conditions.

When she returned to Washington, Elizabeth became the head of a new department called the United States Women's Bureau. She was a strong leader. During her time in France, she became good friends with Robert Woods Bliss and Mildred Barnes Bliss, who later created Dumbarton Oaks.

After the war, in 1919, Elizabeth decided to close her landscape gardening business. She worked in a bank and later in real estate. She also helped with the presidential campaign for Herbert Hoover.

Marriage and life in Washington

Elizabeth Hoyt married Ronald Charles Lindsay in 1924. He was the widower of her cousin, Martha. They did not have any children.

Sir Ronald had worked in Washington before. He was the British Ambassador to the United States from 1930 to 1939. This was a very long time for an ambassador to serve in one country.

The Lindsays moved into the new British Embassy in Washington in June 1930. Elizabeth then began planting the Embassy's garden. They became friends with important people like Franklin Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt.

In 1939, Sir Ronald was planning to retire. However, he was asked to stay longer so he could host the King and Queen of England during their visit. The garden party held at the Embassy was a very important social event in Washington D.C.'s history.

Later life and legacy

Sir Ronald Lindsay returned to England in August 1939. Elizabeth planned to follow him, but World War II started, and travel became difficult. She also had health problems.

She built a new house called “Lime House” on her family's old estate in Long Island. From there, she worked for different charities to help with the war effort.

Elizabeth's work as a gardener was honored by having two plants named after her. In 1938, a rose variety was named 'Rose Hon. Lady Lindsay'. In 1943, a lilac was named 'Lilac ‘Lady Lindsay’'.

Elizabeth Lindsay passed away on September 3, 1954. Her ashes were buried near her mother's grave in Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.

Images for kids

• 

  Elizabeth Sherman Lindsay